Conceal Carry: Glock or J-frame

[Gergify]

So I turn 21 within the next few months and I plan on geting my CCW.

I'm planning on going gun shopping and range test handguns before deciding what to buy; I will be carrying during all occasions, both pocket and belt carry (depending on my attire). As of right now I'm considering either a J-frame Lightweight or G26 (or something similar like PM9 and etc).

Can someone explain which (if you could only have one ) Is the better choice for a good all around first CCW firearm.

 

[jeepnik]

Glocks, even the baby Glocks are a bit large for pocket carry, unless you tailor your wardrobe around large pockets.

J Frames fit pockets better, and obviously will work as a "belt gun" just fine. On the plus side, and I don't know your skill level, revolvers are simpler/safer for new shooters. Yet many, like myself, who've been around firearms for more decades than we care to admit, don't feel "undergunned" with a 5 shot revolver.

Truthfully, the best thing is to give several firearms a try at a range that rents them, and if you have older friends with the ones you are interested in, try them for "fit". Most ranges would frown if you stuck one of their handguns in your pocket.

 

[coolluke01]

The G26 might be a little big for some to pocket carry. But I would think it's a better choice for a first time carry.
Find what you shoot best and go with that.
I carry the G26 IWB and ankle. It works well with a Galco ankle glove. With a two round extension on the G26 mag you can have twice the capacity as the J frame.

 

[Gergify]

I'll have to go and get a feel for both the smalled semi 9mm's and the J-frame. To be honest I'm mainly carrying for personal/home protection and I don't plan on needing more 5rds.

Realistically, how often will you ever need 10 rds in a usual real world situation?

 

[Scott Free]

I'm temped to recommend a J-frame. Know that they are difficult to shoot accurately at distance, though. As for me, I am okay with this, and with the 5 round limitation. A J-frame is very easy to pocket carry. A Glock, not so much.

 

[Don357]

per Scottfree..."Know that they are difficult to shoot accurately at distance"
For a personal defence/CCW piece, you don't need a long range gun. Do yourself and those around you a favor, go with the J-frame in .38spl/.357Mag.




Friends don't let friends carry Glocks!

 

[Doubting Thomas]

Suggest you take a course that covers pertinent laws and liability, and listen VERY, VERY closely. Not being critical, just alluding to the fact that there are very real pitfalls and a lot of dangerous BS "make my day" advice floating around out there. The NRA personal protection course (which I used to teach) stressed this. We had the local DA teach it, and after hearing three different DAs cover the same ground I had a pretty good idea of the legal hazards involved.

As to hardware: The Glock 26 is not a pocket gun. It needs a holster. Nor would I carry one without a holster unless the chamber was empty. Plus any semiauto, even the best, requires perfect ammo to work properly, and is a fussier piece of equipment by its very nature.

I have 40 years plus experience (much of it as an LEO) with J frames. Not counting the one that I put out of time with +P+ ammo and S&W rebuilt (and one blown up next to me with bad ammo) , I have never seen one fail to work. I still carry a 442 daily because it is easy to have on me, morning to night, and it has always gone bang. 5 for sure is a decent Plan A. If I needed a Plan B a second J frame wouldn't be bad either.

Just remember--your primary weapon is your mind. Guns are just a tool to execute the plan.

 

[David E]

I'm mainly carrying for personal/home protection and I don't plan on needing more (than) 5rds.

Oh, I guess I missed the part where we, the attacked, get to plan anything, like time of day, number of attackers, lighting, location, ensuring both hands are available, etc etc etc....but we can "plan" on how many rounds we will need?

Realistically, how often will you ever need 10 rds in a usual real world situation?

Ask anyone who's been in a gunfight if they wished they had fewer rounds in the gun.

Any gun with you bears any gun not. But you must acknowledge any shortcomings in your equipment and understand them. You should also achieve a high level if proficiency with your chosen gun. Failure to do so transforms the gun into a mere talisman.

 

[Guillermo]

the first rule of gunfighting is

HAVE A GUN!!!

In my life a J-frame would be more likely to be carried.

Of course, depending on what I am wearing, where I am going, I have 4 standard carry guns.

There is no "one answer"

 

[XxBulletBendeRXx]

The G26 might be a little big for some to pocket carry. But I would think it's a better choice for a first time carry.
Find what you shoot best and go with that.
I carry the G26 IWB and ankle. It works well with a Galco ankle glove. With a two round extension on the G26 mag you can have twice the capacity as the J frame.

I would go with Glock 26. But Like the Quoted above, you need to carry a G26 in a holster. But you can get a IWB holster of your liking or something similar. For pocket carrying the G26, naturally you would want a pocket holster. A DeSantis pocket holster works quite well. Being that Glock has no external manual saftey, the trigger needs to be protected well from any accidental snagging or similar mishap that can occur with a loaded Auto pistol in condition one, or any pistol for that matter.
Some say that auto loaders are prone to trouble feeding, ejecting, etc., "due to there nature" However IMO Glocks are a very reliable platform to trust for defense in the auto loader catagory. And to put it simply, Like David E. mentioned above, one can never have to many rounds. Another thing, the more rounds you carry the heavier it gets, So its a give and take.
To carry on a little longer with my comment...... I like the G26 a lot, and carry mine with the 10 round mag and either a 15 or 17 round mag spare in case. So, with one in the pipe and a G17 mag(17 round mag) you would have 28 rounds. If you add mag extentions on those that would up it to 32 rounds. Plenty to get yourself to saftey and/or stop any threats. Lots of times thugs run in packs, So God forbid 2 or more guys try and attack you in some way, you would have no problems defending yourself, as far as round count goes anyway. God forbid of course.
Good luck with your purchase no matter what you decide on, as deciding, trying out and talking about what you want to get is half of the fun. Enjoy the Ride.. Take Care. B.B.

 

[wlewisiii]

Had a J frame - a 642. Very nice for a snubby and I could shoot it reasonably well with light 158 gr LRN loads. But even +P were too painful for my tastes. Even with speedloaders, reloads are slow and the short ejector rod gives very little margin for error.

I now EDC a Glock 19 and two spare mags in a deepconceal.com shoulder holster. It gives me a weapon I am comfortable shooting hot loads out of (RA9TA) and 46 rounds of it at that. I don't find it too big or heavy but I'd never just chuck it in a pocket or such.

 

[2wheels]

Can't really go wrong with either choice, I'm not a Glock fan and I love my 442 so that'd be my choice.

 

[glassman]

I agree with guillermo and carry a 642. Fewer moving parts than a semi and in my opinion more reliable. It can be easily concealed no matter the weather or clothing requirements.

 

[Guillermo]

Fewer moving parts than a semi

does anything have fewer moving parts than a Glock?

 

[Guillermo]

in the name of full disclosure, while I have respect for the J-frame and have owned them before, I do not own any.

As I carry a revolver OWB I carry a D-frame Colt.

David E, however, has me thinking about looking for an early model 40 (Centennial) from the 50's.

(and I was doing SOOO well not buying guns. It has been over a month )

 

[X-Rap]

I carry a G19 most of the time, it is reliable and carrys a fair amount of ammo. I also, when dress requires it will carry a J frame or a 380 but I have no illusions about having enough ammo. The smaller and lighter the gun the bigger the compromise.
Having a gun is the first priority but I am fully in the camp with wanting some ammo left over if I ever have to use my gun in a fight.

 

[franco45]

You may want to look at the Kahr PM and CM 9mm. I can pocket carry my CM9 in the front pocket of most of my pants. I do carry a 642 in my jacket pocket as well during winter months.

 

[NG VI]

Can someone explain which (if you could only have one ) Is the better choice for a good all around first CCW firearm.

For me, and my advice, the Glock 26. Cheapest centerfire pistol ammunition, which means more practice per dollar, they are as accurate or more accurate than a fullsize pistol, they are remarkably easy to fully service, so you will be able to get to know your gun intimately without worrying about being able to put it back together properly or damage it, they have an outstanding surface treatment and finish as far as corrosion goes, they hold two times as many shots as a J frame with the stock magazine and nothing in the chamber, 9mm gives you access to the best available handgun ammunition at reasonable prices.

There are a lot of good reasons to go with the Glock here. And the 26 might feel a little odd in the hand, but resist the urge to go attaching things to it before you've really wrung it out and gotten familiar with it in stock form. The only thing I would suggest adding, other than maybe different sights, are some GAP floorplates. They aren't extensions, they are just flat baseplates with a little spur on the front that really does add to functionality without detracting from concealability. And I always got pinched by magazine extensions.

 

[Zundfolge]

Gergify, you didn't mention what state you're in.

In some states you have to qualify with your CCW piece and if you qualify with a revolver your license will ONLY allow you to carry a revolver, but if you qualify with an auto you can carry either.

If you're primarily going to pocket carry than J frame all the way ... if you're going to carry IWB I'd go for the G26.

But ultimately I say buy whichever one you can afford right now and then start saving for the other. Then you'll eventually end up with one for pocket carry and one for belt carry.

For belt carry, make sure you budget for a good holster AND a good belt.

 

[Old krow]

I'd probably go with the Glock if I absolutely had to choose between the two. I own both and love them both. If funds are limiting the decision to buy one or the other, then they'll probably be fairly limiting on ammo as well. 9mm is cheaper and will allow you to practice more.

I agree with David E, you probably won't get to plan on how many attackers you face. I also agree with Doubting Thomas, I wouldn't pocket carry a Glock. I carry both and I trust both. Reloading with just about negate the disparity in price between the 2 cartridges, but if you do not, then the cost to practice is something to consider.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I would take the Glock 26, but not with pocket carry. I personally wouldn't pocket carry a J-Frame either just because I am not a pocket carry type of person.

The good things about the Glock are the more tolerable recoil, magazine capacity, and it is easier to be accurate with (for most). It is simple to operate, just make sure you practice malfunction drills in case you need them.

I am not a fan of small airweight revolvers because of the increased recoil, and slower follow-up shots. I also do not want to be one of those that only planned on needing 5 shots but wished I had more....The best laid plans of mice and men....

 

[NG VI]

does anything have fewer moving parts than a Glock?

Doubt it. Pretty common misconception that a revolver is somehow simpler than an auto, when that just isn't the case. May be less parts you can put your hands on, but any work is much more sensitive and critical, and failures are much more likely to require a gunsmith instead of an immediate action drill.

Originally Posted by Gergify
I'm mainly carrying for personal/home protection and I don't plan on needing more (than) 5rds.

Oh, I guess I missed the part where we, the attacked, get to plan anything, like time of day, number of attackers, lighting, location, ensuring both hands are available, etc etc etc....but we can "plan" on how many rounds we will need?

I don't feel the need to be hystrionic about things, but planning on how many shots you will need strikes me as more than a little silly. Certainly it will likely be enough, but that's heavily skewed by the overwhelming prevalence of situations where having any gun is enough.

 

[RetDep310]

Owned both, and loved them. Traded the 26 for a Glock 19. The 26 is not a pocket gun, but great for OWB/IWB carry. Still have a j-frame for pocket carry. Might I suggest a 3rd option? The Ruger LC9 is right in-between the two you are looking at, size wise. Just a tad big for pocket carry, but it can be done with right pair of pants.

 

[Doug S]

Depending on how you plan to carry, the J-frame will carry easier, but the Glock will shoot easier, and have more capacity. In my experience both are reliable, so chocie for many comes down to ease of carry, and how many round you think you need in a carry gun. Should probably mention that the Glock is probably the more durable of the two both in long term use, and finish wise.

 

[David E]

When dress requires it will carry a J frame or a 380 but I have no illusions about having enough ammo. The smaller and lighter the gun the bigger the compromise.

It's amazing to me how few people realize this!

Having a gun is the first priority

Amen!